Download Who would buy an iron ore stock?

Who would buy an iron ore stock?
Iron ore has fallen from a high of US$180/tonne to $47/t on concerns of oversupply and a slowdown in China – iron ore’s biggest
consumer. At $47/t, the majority of iron ore producers lose money. Who would want to own an iron ore stock? We would, because
we’re contrarian investors.
Labrador Iron Ore Royalty - why we own it
Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) is a leading Canadian producer of iron ore pellets and concentrate owned by Rio Tinto Group
(59%), Mitsubishi Corporation (26%), and Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Company (15%). IOC is a low cost operator in a low cost
jurisdiction with strong, financially stable partners. While the mine’s cost of production may be higher than its Western Australian
competitors, it competes well as its product is of much higher quality and its mine has a 25-year reserve life. IOC produces a high
quality iron ore concentrate and pellets which are necessary for blending with low quality ores. IOC’s ore is in demand and trades at a
premium.
In addition to its 15% interest in IOC, LIF receives a 7% royalty on IOC’s gross revenue – before expenses. LIF’s share price has suffered
along with the price of iron ore. However, as a royalty, LIF offers a lower risk exposure to the iron ore market. In recent weeks, LIF’s
stock price has also suffered on rumors of Rio Tinto’s intention to close the Labrador-based mine, putting the royalty payments at
significant risk. Rumours have fed the bears and the short interest in the stock reached 11 million shares (of 60 million outstanding).
We believe the rumours are unfounded and may be the actions of potential suitors hoping to acquire LIF at depressed prices. We’ve
taken advantage of this and added significantly to the Fund’s position in LIF. At time of writing, LIF accounted for 5% of Taylor
Partners Fund assets.
IOC competes well. As the rout in iron ore prices forces out many of the high cost producers, we are confident IOC will be one of the
last mines standing. Today’s iron price is not sustainable and we believe is easily manipulated by large global players whose objective
is to push out the competition. With global destocking leveling off, iron ore prices should stabilize. In fact, prices are up some 30% in
the past three weeks. IOC is positioned to benefit significantly from a resurrection in iron ore prices, with its high quality asset and
long reserve life.
Osisko purchases 10% interest in LIF
At current valuations, LIF is a very attractive take out
candidate. Don’t just take our word for it. Osisko Gold
Royalties Ltd. (OR) today announced it has amassed a 9.8%
interest in LIF. LIF rose 11% on the news. While OR denies it
has any intentions to acquire the company, we believe its
interest in LIF is a toehold and that in time, it will. Osisko
executives are astute businessmen keen to take advantage of
a great asset trading at an attractive price in an effort to
increase shareholder value. Alternatively, Osisko’s move may
provoke interest among other potential buyers as we believe
there are a number of firms with similar objectives.
It takes guts to buy into a commodity stock when it’s getting
beat up but sometimes the market gets it wrong, and we
believe this is one of those times.
David Taylor, MBA, CFA
President and Chief Investment Officer
May 15, 2015
Taylor Partners Fund is a prospectus-exempt product offered on a private placement basis. Units of the Fund can be purchased through applicable dealers, and are
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statement contained herein that pertains to the future presents the portfolio manager’s current view regarding future events, and is included for the purpose of
illustrating the portfolio manager’s investment strategy, current beliefs and positioning of the portfolio. Actual future events may differ from these views. Taylor Asset
Management does not undertake any obligation to update this information. Source for chart data: Bloomberg.